Razor strop and method of treating the same



Patented Dec. 6, 19.27:

DANIEL P. SHEA, OF WORCESTER, MASfiACHUSETTS- RAZOR} srnor AND METHOD onTREATING THE SAME.

so Drawing.

T-li'isinvention relates-to the treating of a razor strop or similararticle for the purpose of improving its qualities,

The principal objects of the lnventlon are to so modify the surface of apiece of leather of a flexible character that it is adapted to be used,not as a strop, but particularly to take the place of a hone forsharpening and resharpening razors, razor blades, lancets, knives andother edge tools and to provide a method of treating a surface of aleather article'or piece of leather so as to enable it to be used in theabove mentioned Ways.

I am aware of the fact that solid hard hones have been made of variouskinds of abrasive materials and also of the fact that leather stropshave been improved in their quality by treatment of the surface withcompositions involving mixtures of corunduin or the like, and of alubricating mate rial. This invention is independent of both of theseprior devices. It consists in the first place in preparing the inner orflesh side of a soft, preferably oak-tanned, piece of leath r and havingan absorbent surface due to a filler, as for example, lard, and means bywhich such surface Will become a true sharpening surface and willsharpen an edge fully as well and even better than the average hone andleave the blade in a finer condition, this being accomplished by anyoneusing such blade and in an incredibly short space of time, thirtyseconds or less being the average for a fairly dull blade.

For the purpose of my invention 1 take, as stated, a soft preferablyoak-tanned leather and treat its flesh side, after it is brought to auniform surface, with lard or other liquid of semi-solid oleaginouscomposition to further soften it. The surface of the leather is of anabsorbent nature as stated above and will take up lard or the like tokeep it in a soft condition for a long period of time.

The next step of the process is to take slate in very finely powderedcondition and Work it into the porous soft surface on the flesh side ofthe leather. The slate, of course, is in such fine particles that afterit is worked into the surface it does not show upon the surface and thestrop looks as if it had not been treated with any such material asslate. These slate particles are projected deep into the surface of theleather strop and remain in position therein.

In the use'of the strop the particles of Application filed June 27,1927. Serial No1.201,962:-

slate act the "same'as hone; The edge of a razor, lancetor the-likewould be brought into 'conditionsuch as that resulting from the usualhoning process, or as above suggested, in even better condition. Not.only that but the edge is much smoother and finer and the razor can beused directly after its treatment on this surface.

If desired, it can be stropped up a bit on an ordinary strop, or thereverse side of the same strop, Which is changed inno Way by thisprocess. 7

Instead of lard, Which has been mentioned, some other convenient oil canbe used such as neat s foot oil. Furthermore the oil or lard and slatecan be mixed together before they are applied and applied to thepreviously untreated surface properly tanned.

This strop in its finished condition furnishes a surface upon which,Within a feW seconds, a very dull steel edge can be resharpened. It hasproved useful for ordinary razors, safety razor blades, lancets, knives,etc.

By test this sharpening has been accomplished on blades of various kindsand in serious condition and has proved to be a great improvement overan ordinary honing. It is a very simple operation to perform and takesmuch less time than honing.

liurthermore the result is better and the razor blades or lancets do nothave to be stropped afterwards ordinarily although they may be touchedup on the strop if so desired by the user.

A strop treated in this way contains fine particles of slate not only atthe surface but considerably beneath it so that it Will sharpen an edgetool but it also has a durability heretofore unequaled by strops,because the slate extends deeply into the surface. It will continue toact as a sharpening device until the leather is practically worn out.This durability is an important advantage of this invention.

Although Lhave described only two Ways in which the invention can becarried out I am aware of the factthat other modifications can be madetherein by any person skilled in the art Without departing from thescope of the invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore, I do notWish to be limited to the details herein disclosed but v What I do claimis v 1. As an article of manufacture, a. leather strop for edged toolshaving incorporated within and below its surface a mixture of fineground slate and an oleaginous substance.

2. As an article of manufacture, a strop' of leather having a porousflesh side having embedded therein a layer of fine particles of slatefor the purpose described.

3. The method of treating a strop to con- Vert it into a sharpeningdevice which consists in oak-tanning a piece of leather, softening itssurface by applying lard thereto and allowing it to soak into theleather on the flesh side and finally rubbing into the surface sotreated a quantity of finely ground slate. Y

4. The method of treating a strop to convert it into a sharpening devicewhich con-' sists in tanning a piece of leather, softening its surfaceand rubbing into the surface so treated a quantity of finely groundslate.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto afiixed my signature.

DANIEL P. SHEA.

